Bobcats out Rumble Ramblers, 36-35, In Double Overtime
Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports November 9, 2011
The Gilmer High School Bobcats football team outlasted the Ramblers of LaFayette, with a 36-35 thrilling double overtime victory on the Bobcats’ home field. The game was decided when Connor Webber, scored two points on a fake field goal on Gilmer’s point after attempt. The game winning score came directly after, quarterback Marlen Hensley connected with Webber on a 25 yard touchdown pass on fourth and 20. The win gave Gilmer a 7-3 record, it’s first winning season in a decade.The Bobcats drew first blood on its first possession, when Colt Henderson raced 37 yards to the end zone. A subsequent extra point by Manny Lopez saw Gilmer take a 7-0 lead.
(Photo by Brian K. Pritchard)
The lead would increase by a touchdown quickly, as the Bobcats’ successful onside kick on the ensuing kick off gave Gilmer great field position on the LaFayette 46 yard line. A few plays later, Henderson scored his second touchdown of the day and Gilmer led 14-0 before LaFayette’s offense touched the ball.
The Ramblers rambled back, on the legs of running back, Devarus Porter, who scored from two yards out, the first of five rushing touchdowns for Porter on the day.
The Ramblers were able to tie the game, after a gift from Gilmer, in the form of a fumble, was recovered by LaFayette. Gilmer gave LaFayette 30 yards in penalties on third downs to keep the Ramblers’ drive alive. Porter scored on a 13 yard rush and the game was tied 14-14.
The Bobcats were able to take a 21-14 halftime lead due to a clock killing drive that featured a fake punt and a plethora of runs right down the throat of the Ramblers’ defense. Henderson capped off the drive with a two run touchdown run.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, as the defenses dominated the quarter. The LaFayette defense came up with the play in the fourth that kept Gilmer from putting the game away.
Ramblers’ linebacker, Sam Clayton, intercepted a Hensley pass and returned it to the Gilmer 38 yard line. Two plays later Porter passed the Gilmer defense and the game was tied 21-21, with just over six minutes left in the game.
(Photo by Brian K. Pritchard)
As neither team could take the lead in regulation, the game progressed into overtime. In overtime each team begins the offensive possession on 15 yards from the goal line.
Gilmer’s offense scored the first over time touchdown on Cameron Kephart’s touchdown run from two yards out. Lopez’s point after attempt was good and Gilmer led 28-21.
The Ramblers’ rode Porter’s legs again, as he scored his fifth and final touchdown of the day on a 13 yard run. The successful extra point put Lafayette up 35-28.
The Bobcats looked to be in serious trouble when Lafayette’s Will Meford sacked Hensley on third down, setting up the aforementioned fourth and 20 connection between Hensley and Webber. Webber won the game with the two point conversion run on the fake field goal attempt.